NCATE Accredited Master of Arts in Educational Psychology

Marist's M.A. in Educational Psychology Graduate Program

The Master of Arts in Educational Psychology meets the academic requirements for New York State Professional Teaching Certification and has two distinct tracks that students can pursue.

The first track meets the academic requirements for application to Professional Certification in Childhood Education (grades 1-6) for candidates with initial teacher certification in this area. The second track meets the academic requirements for application to Professional Certification in Adolescent Education (grades 7-12) and is designed for candidates who possess initial certification in one of the Adolescence Education areas: History, Science (Biology or Chemistry), Mathematics, Languages (French or Spanish), and English. Also, the second track meets the academic requirements for initial and professional certification in Middle School Extension (grades 5-6). Upon completing the M.A. in Educational Psychology program, candidates applying for the Professional Teaching Certification in Adolescence Education will thus meet the master's degree requirements for Middle School Extension (grades 5-6).

Both tracks of the M.A. in Educational Psychology entail the successful completion of 36 credit hours of coursework. To learn more about current students and alumni of the Educational Psychology program, visit our Profiles page.

Program Format and Course Delivery Models

The Master of Arts in Educational Psychology degree program can be completed on campus or completely online with a short summer residency on the Marist College Poughkeepise campus.

On-campus model: takes place on the Poughkeepsie campus, and coursework may be completed either through full-time or part-time study. Candidates are accepted in the fall. The program is designed so that it can be completed by a full-time student in three to four semesters, completing 9 or 12 credits each semester. Part-time students must complete the program within five years from first matriculation in the program.

Online model: is a cohort-based program designed to be completed in two years, with two courses completed each semester: summer, fall, and spring. In recognition of the busy and tightly scheduled lives of professional educators, the program takes advantage of the superior online resources of Marist to combine short, summer residency sessions on the beautiful campus in Poughkeepsie with online work during the rest of the summer session and the entire length of fall and spring semesters. Because this is a cohort-based model, courses are offered in a specified sequence and candidates follow the already set cohort program. Since this is a very intensive program in a hybrid model, students must have good self-management and organization skills.

Pedagogical Core Curriculum

The course of study in the Master of Arts program supports the core values of Marist College identified in the institutional Mission Statement. The Master of Arts program is designed around courses and experiences that help teachers expand and build on their professional knowledge and skills. The goal is to prepare innovative, flexible teachers who are collaborative, reflective, and well grounded in current theories, contemporary professional practices, and innovative teaching strategies. The program is oriented around a fifteen credit hour pedagogical core curriculum that cuts across five essential areas of knowledge and skill needed by teachers: 1) Art and Science of Teaching, 2) The Learner, 3) Literacy, 4) Foundations, Context and Purpose, 5) Research and Inquiry.

The Conceptual Framework of the Teacher Education programs identifies its purpose as preparing reflective professionals who think critically and work collaboratively to help all students learn, and is also consistent with Marist’s three ideals: excellence in education; sense of community; and commitment to service. This purpose is further defined in the seven core values/beliefs listed below:

Excellence in Education

In keeping with Marist’s commitment to excellence in education, the program strives to prepare school professionals who:1. Use critical thinking and creative problem-solving in their professional practice.2. Are reflective professionals who examine their practice and seek to improve it in a process of continual professional development.3. Use evidence-based practices, adapted to the demands of the specific professional contexts.

Sense of Community

In keeping with Marist’s commitment to a sense of community, the program strives to prepare school professionals who:4. Are active members of collaborative teams, and work across disciplines.5. Build relationships that support student learning and well-being.

Commitment to Service

In keeping with Marist’s commitment to service and promoting the dignity and value of every human being, the program strives to prepare school professionals who:6. Promote justice, equity, and access for all students while working to improve schools.7. Base their practice on an understanding of the diversity in human development and cognitive functioning as it impacts learning.

Electronic Portfolio Requirement

In addition to coursework, all teacher education candidates are required to complete, submit, and defend an electronic portfolio based on the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards as their capstone project. The electronic portfolio demonstrates the professional knowledge and skills candidates have developed across the program. This is a multimedia, standards-based document that is stored online. An early course (EPSY 506- Content Area Assessment and Portfolio Development) prepares candidates to use the online Marist system for portfolio development. Candidates are required, in their last semester in the program, to participate in meetings across the semester in order to receive guidance and help to complete their electronic portfolio. Candidates will complete, submit, and defend their electronic portfolio in front of an evaluation committee, no later than five years from matriculation. Completion is recorded when the portfolio is passed. Passing the electronic portfolio is a requirement for the Masters degree.

The Professional Education Unit at Marist College is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). This accreditation covers initial teacher preparation programs and advanced educator preparation programs at Marist College located in Poughkeepsie, New York. However, the accreditation does not include individual education courses that the institution offers to P-12 educators for professional development, re-licensure, or other purposes.